The Drake is a beautiful building. Honestly, it's the kind of Upper East Side real estate most people would sell their souls for, and in the 666 Park Avenue show, that's basically the literal premise. It aired back in 2012 on ABC, a weird time for network TV when everyone was trying to find the next Lost or the next American Horror Story. It had the pedigree, the cast, and the spooky atmosphere. But then, it just... disappeared.
Network TV is brutal.
If you caught it during its original run, you probably remember the sheer style of the thing. It wasn't just a horror show; it was a soap opera with teeth. Terry O'Quinn, fresh off his legendary run as John Locke, played Gavin Doran, the owner of The Drake. He was perfect. He had that calm, terrifying stillness that made you believe he really could control the supernatural forces living inside those wood-paneled walls. Opposite him was Vanessa Williams as Olivia Doran, bringing all the icy elegance she mastered in Ugly Betty. They were a power couple from hell, and they played it to the hilt.
The Drake and the Architecture of Terror
The show followed Jane Van Veen and Henry Martin, a young couple who move into the building to manage it. Jane, played by Rachael Taylor, is an aspiring architect. This was a smart move by the writers. It gave her a reason to poke around the basement, to look at old blueprints, and to notice that the floor plans didn't quite match the reality of the hallways.
New York City buildings have history. Real history.
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The 666 Park Avenue show leaned heavily into the idea that the building itself was a character. It breathed. It trapped people. One of the most striking things about the series was the "boiler room" aesthetic—this dark, subterranean world that contrasted sharply with the gold-leafed luxury of the apartments above. It’s a classic trope, sure, but it worked because the production design was so lush.
People often forget that the show was actually based on a book series by Gabriella Pierce. However, the TV version took some massive liberties. In the books, the mythology is a bit more focused on specific supernatural lineages, whereas the show went for a broader "deal with the devil" vibe. Every tenant had a secret. Every tenant wanted something they couldn't afford. And Gavin was always there, ready to give it to them—for a price that usually involved their soul or the life of someone they loved.
Why it didn't survive the 2012 season
It's tempting to say it was too smart for TV, but that's not quite right. Honestly, the pacing was a bit of a mess. In the beginning, it moved like a slow-burn psychological thriller. But network executives get twitchy when the ratings don't hit immediately. By the middle of the season, you could feel the show scrambling to wrap up mysteries that should have taken years to solve.
The competition was also insane. It was tucked into a Sunday night slot that put it up against some heavy hitters. Plus, the tone was hard to pin down. Was it a horror show? A drama? A supernatural mystery? Audiences in 2012 were still getting used to "prestige" horror on broadcast networks.
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What happened to the ending?
When ABC swung the axe, they actually let the creators finish the initial 13-episode order. This is rare. Usually, a show just vanishes into the ether. Because they knew the end was coming, the final few episodes of the 666 Park Avenue show are some of the most frantic, bizarre, and high-stakes television of that era. They tried to cram an entire series' worth of mythology into about 42 minutes.
It was chaotic.
Jane’s transformation, the revelation of Henry’s true lineage, and the ultimate fate of The Drake’s residents all collided. It didn't necessarily make total sense, but it was ambitious. It’s one of those rare cases where a cancellation actually forced a show to stop stalling and just go for broke.
The legacy of the 666 Park Avenue show today
If you look at the cast now, it's wild how many of them went on to huge things. You've got Dave Annable, who's been a staple in high-profile dramas ever since. Mercedes Masohn, who was a lead in The Rookie and Fear the Walking Dead. The show was a talent magnet.
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- Terry O'Quinn remains the gold standard for "menacing yet fatherly" villains.
- The fashion in the show, specifically Vanessa Williams' wardrobe, still looks incredible today.
- The practical effects in the "hidden" rooms of the building still hold up better than most CGI-heavy shows of the same period.
There’s a reason people still search for it on streaming services. It tapped into a specific New York anxiety—the idea that the city's elite are only successful because they've made some dark, unthinkable bargain. In a post-2008 world, that theme resonated. It still does. We look at these massive, untouchable glass towers and old-money brownstones and wonder: what did they have to give up to get that?
The 666 Park Avenue show didn't just deal in ghosts or demons. It dealt in greed. It looked at the cost of ambition. When Jane finds the mosaic in the basement that seems to predict the future, it’s a metaphor for how we’re all trapped by the choices we’ve already made.
How to watch it now (and what to look for)
Currently, the show pops up on various digital storefronts like Amazon or Vudu, though it's rarely on the major "free" streaming platforms. If you decide to go back and watch it, pay attention to the background details in Gavin's office. The props team did an incredible job filling that room with artifacts that hinted at centuries of deals.
- Watch the pilot carefully for the bird motifs; they recur throughout the season in ways that aren't always explained.
- Follow the character of the "man in the suit" who appears in the periphery of several early episodes.
- Compare the layout of Jane and Henry's apartment to the floor they eventually discover underneath it.
It’s a tragedy we never got a second season. The writers had plans to expand the mythology beyond just the one building, suggesting that there were "Drake-like" properties all over the world. A global network of cursed real estate? That would have been something.
Instead, we have 13 episodes of high-gloss, gothic madness. It’s a time capsule of a moment when network TV was trying to be daring. It didn't always stick the landing, but it had more style and ambition than half the stuff on the air now.
If you're looking for a weekend binge that feels like a cross between The Devil's Advocate and Gossip Girl, this is it. Just don't sign any contracts Gavin Doran puts in front of you.
Actionable Insights for Fans and New Viewers
- Check Digital Libraries: Since it's a "lost" show, your best bet is purchasing the season on platforms like Apple TV or Amazon, as it rarely stays on subscription services for long.
- Read the Source Material: If you want more, Gabriella Pierce’s book 666 Park Avenue and its sequels (The Dark Glamour, etc.) offer a very different, more romance-focused take on the world.
- Look for the "Burned" Episodes: Ensure you are watching the full 13-episode run; some international syndication packages accidentally omit the finale or air it out of order.
- Follow the Creators: David Wilcox, the showrunner, has since worked on Fringe and MacGyver. If you liked the "puzzle box" nature of The Drake, his other work hits many of those same notes.